Marcos thanks countries' for avowed support to joint drills in WPS
Countries expressing their intentions to help the Philippines in protecting its sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) are key in maintaining the stability in its maritime territory.

Marcos said this, responding to France's intention to hold maritime drills with the Philippines in the WPS.
He thanked countries like France for being "very supportive" in the Philippines' bid to protect its territory.
"Kami nagpapasalamat sa lahat ng mga iba’t ibang bansa kahit na hindi... Iyong iba nga ay nanggagaling sa malayo pa ngunit sila ay handang tumulong sa atin at kapag tayo’y nagkakaproblema, very supportive sila hanggang hindi lamang sa salita kung hindi pati na sa mga tinatawag na joint cruises (We are thankful that different countries, some are far countries but stand ready to help us and if we encounter a problem, they are very supportive not just through words but through what we call joint cruises)," Marcos said in an interview in General Santos on Friday, May 10.
The President said this move by various countries is crucial in upholding the freedom of navigation in the West Philippine Sea, considering that it is a key passage for global trade.
"Napakalaking bagay ‘yan dahil ito lang ang paraan upang magarantiya natin na ang West Philippine Sea ay patuloy ang tinatawag na freedom of navigation (That is a huge thing because this is one way to guarantee that the freedom of navigation in the West Philippine Sea remains)," he said.
Marcos noted that many are passing through the WPS, stressing that maintaining its peace and stability is crucial for the global economy.
"Kaya't lahat ng tumutulong sa atin, tayo kasama rin diyan, lahat ng tumutulong sa Pilipinas, kami'y nagpapasalamat at ito ay magiging malaking bagay, malaking tulong para mapayapa at maging stable, may stability ang West Philippine Sea (We are thankful to all those helping the Philippines, and this would be huge as it would help us maintain the peace and stability in the West Philippine Sea)," Marcos said.